Bermuda Hospitals Board Awards Scholarships to Three Students

Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) has awarded $30,000 in scholarships for this fiscal year to three students studying in fields that are projected to be in demand by the hospitals. These include Nursing and Radiology. In addition, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a Bermuda-based subsidiary of GlaxoSmithKline plc, has once again awarded $30,000 to support a Bermudian student studying Physiology. The scholarship winners have all demonstrated a strong commitment to service in the community and the hospitals, as well as maintaining a solid academic performance.

Venetta Symonds, BHB CEO, says: “We are very proud to provide scholarships to this year’s winners, who will one day join the hospital’s team of professionals. BHB is committed to supporting Bermudian students pursuing careers in healthcare. We are competing in a global market with a shortage of medical professionals and we recognize the value these young people will bring to our community when they return here to work. I would also like to pay tribute to GlaxoSmithKline for continuing to provide scholarship funding to our students.”

Scholarship winner, Kimberley Simons, who is majoring Radiology at Keiser University, says: “I am honoured and grateful to have been chosen as a recipient of this scholarship. This award will allow me to further my education in Radiologic Technology, which has proved to be a rewarding career choice. I am excited about the opportunity to provide patient care as well as to be part of the continuous advancement of technology.”

Stephen Lightbourne, this year’s GlaxoSmithKline Scholarship recipient, is pursuing a career in physiotherapy and says: “Words cannot express the gratitude and appreciation I feel for being selected as GSK’s scholarship winner. This award alleviates the financial pressures attached to tertiary education which affects so many Bermudian students in our pursuit of further education. This scholarship will not only help me complete my degree, but provide me with the experience and education necessary to make an impact to help improve public healthcare in Bermuda. I would like give special thanks my parents for their multiple sacrifices to support my education. Thanks also to Raina Steer who has been a tremendous influence and mentor in my development as a Physiotherapist.”

The scholarship winners are:
• Zaire Burgess-Robinson, Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree at Southern Adventist University, Collegedale, Tennessee, USA – awarded $10,000 over two years
• Gerteikquia Hatherley, Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree at Oakwood University, Huntsville, Alabama, USA- awarded $10,000 over two years
• Kimberly Simons, Associate of Science in Radiologic Technology at Keiser University, Daytona Beach, Florida, USA – awarded $10,000 for one year
• Stephen Lightbourne, Bachelor of Science degree in Physiotherapy at St. George’s University, London, United Kingdom- awarded $15,000 over two years from GlaxoSmithKline